Pictured above is our church trailer. Probably 10 1/2 months out of the year that trailer arrives at the back of Mountain View Elementary and a team of five to eight people arrive at 8 am to unload it. Items unloaded are: sound equipment, media projectors, children's ministry equipment (chairs, tables, bouncy seats, toys), banners, cleaning supplies, offering baskets, literature for the different tables we set up, and on and on it goes. It takes a lot of work just to be ready by 10:30 a.m. for our morning worship. On more than one occasion I have been physically drained from set up on Sunday and the worship service had not even begun.
Where am I going with this? Well, this Sunday we will finish up this great book of the Bible known as Galatians. Let me encourage you to read the sixth chapter for this Sunday. When I am physically tired and weary at times from the demands of ministry, I recall Galatians 6:9-10 which states, 9) So we must not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don't give up. 10) Therefore, as we have opportunity, we must work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.
Three words stick out to me: tired, reap, and work. Being a bridge of God's love to all people is work. When we work at being a bridge of God's love to all people we will get tired. Yet, here's the promise; "we will reap at the proper time if we don't give up." In the context of this verse it ultimately points to our salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Ultimately, we will reap eternal life. But also, I believe when we tirelessly work for the good of all sharing the grace of Christ and the truth of Christ, we will reap a harvest of people that will ultimately share that eternal life with Christ along with us. That's what keeps me going. That's what keeps you going. I cannot thank the tireless "workers" at Ridgeview who are all playing a part to bridge people to Jesus Christ.
I'd like to close with an email I received from a preschool Sunday School teacher in our church. Recently, because our church was a bridge of God's love to the community, some kids were in her Sunday School class we had reached. Here's what she wrote:
I just wanted to tell you what a "high" I experienced yesterday as I spent an hour with (some guest children)...in our pre-school class for the morning. They had not heard the story of Noah's Ark (I still can't get over that)! I was so amazed at the attention they gave as I told the story and then they actually asked questions (what happened to all the other people that weren't on the ark?). It was exciting to be a small part of their exposure to a glimpse of God's love for His people and His faithfulness to our obedience. They are great kids...Before church yesterday morning I prayed that God would use me as His instrument and the kids would see Him in a real way. I really think God revealed Himself to those kids yesterday. It was awesome! I'm praying they will come back for more!
When you volunteer your time and talents at a Tunes on Trade, a free single mom's oil change, a preschool, children, or student minstry event, or come set up at 8 a.m. you are a link in the chain. When you give financially your tithe and even above the tithe for the offering, you are a link in the chain. You are linked together with others of us at Ridgeview and the larger body of Christ to change the world one life at a time. So, let's not become weary in doing good. People matter to God and He's called us to reach out to them and share about His Son, Jesus. I am so glad to be on this mission with you, Ridgeview Church!
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